WARREN was a widowed father of four young children and a prominent Boston physician. His name, courage, and determination to stand opposed to British tyranny was known throughout the colonies and in England. Though not present, he was the one who unified the disgruntled First Continental Congress. As the only patriot leader from the Massachusetts Provincial Congress and MA Committee of Safety in Boston on April 18, 1775, he was forced to make the decision alone to ignite the American Revolution.
Warren took part in every major event in Massachusetts starting in 1765 and ending with his sacrificial death at the Battle of Bunker Hill. British General William Howe declared Warren’s life equal to 500 ordinary colonials. A prominent Boston Loyalist stated that had Warren survived the war, the name of Washington would be obscure. Washington himself referred to Warren as the commander-in-chief. He had just turned thirty-four before being killed in action.
Joseph Warren was the essence of Liberty.
Warren was part of the inner circle of resistance to British tyranny along with Samuel Adams, James Otis, John Hancock, Josiah Quincy Jr., Paul Revere, etc. This group, sometimes referred to as the Long Room Club, would become the “think tank” of the pre-revolution.
Historians, to date, have failed to recognize Warren’s distinctive ability to remain safely in Boston when all other Patriot leaders fled. What set Warren apart to obtain this entitlement?
In 1775, British Governor General Thomas Gage was instructed “to arrest and imprison the principal actors & abettors in the Provincial Congress” in Massachusetts, of which Warren was president. Warren not only remained in Boston, he continued to meet with Gage regularly to discuss tensions between the townspeople and soldiers. Warren calculated the respect and protection that would be extended to him having carefully, methodically, and conspicuously positioned himself. I will answer how he did it in my next post.
